Influenza vaccinations to start in Tampere

Published 9.10.2017 9.27

Influenza vaccinations will begin at the health centres of the City of Tampere on Monday 9 October 2017. The school and student health services will also start vaccinating pupils and students included in risk groups.

Make an appointment for a vaccination at a health centre on the city's website: www.tampere.fi/soteasiointi. You can also book a vaccination appointment by calling the health services counselling number +358 (0)3 10023 daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. This is also a good time to make an appointment for a vaccination at a child health clinic, or prepare for taking the vaccination at your next visit.

As usual, the city will organise a campaign day on vaccinations for adults. This year’s vaccination campaign day will be held on Saturday 18 November, and the health centres of Hatanpää, Hervanta, Tipotie and Tammela will administer vaccinations during the day. We recommend making an appointment beforehand even on the campaign day to avoid queues. However, vaccinations will also be available without an appointment on the campaign day.

Omapihlaja will also vaccinate its patients on 18 November from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hervanta and Kehräsaari health centres.

Pregnant women and children under school age will be vaccinated at child health clinics or the health clinic kiosk

Pregnant women and children under school age will be vaccinated at their own maternity and child health clinics in connection with a normal visit or at a separately agreed time. Schoolchildren and students who are entitled to a free vaccination will be vaccinated by the school or student health services. Children under 9 years of age who have never had an influenza vaccination will need two doses of the vaccine at a one-month interval. In this case, it is recommended that the first vaccination be given in November.

The children aged 24–35 months will be primarily vaccinated as a nasal spray. A second dose is not needed after the nasal spray.

Children and pregnant women attending maternity and child health clinics can also visit the health clinic kiosk (at the Family house at Itsenäisyydenkatu 21 B) on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Some health clinics also administer vaccinations without an appointment at their open vaccination mornings and afternoons. Please contact your health clinic for more information.

The vaccination is free for those included in risk groups, and for the families of persons susceptible to serious influenza

The following groups are entitled to a free seasonal influenza vaccination: people aged 65 or over, children aged 6–35 months, people belonging to medical risk groups due to an illness, pregnant women, conscripts and women in voluntary military service, and those starting their military service in January 2018. The families of persons included in risk groups are also entitled to a free vaccination.

Social and health service personnel and students participating in the treatment of patients are also advised to get an influenza vaccination.

Additional pneumococcus vaccinations

People aged 65 or over are advised to consider the pneumococcus vaccination, unless they have already received it. A pneumococcus vaccine requires a prescription which can be obtained by calling the prescription phone of your health centre. The patient must purchase the vaccine from the pharmacy, but it can be administered either separately or alongside the influenza vaccine.

The pneumococcus vaccine provides excellent protection from serious diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and blood poisoning.

Remember your Kela card or health clinic card

Persons coming to get a seasonal influenza vaccination should have their Kela card or health clinic card with them. In order to make your vaccination easier, you should wear a garment with sleeves that can be easily rolled up.

After the vaccination, be prepared to stay on the premises and wait for approximately 15 minutes.

If you experience any problems after the vaccination, we recommend that you call the health services information and advice line on +358 (0)3 10023, open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. On weekdays, you can also contact your own health clinic or school and student health services.

Vaccinations will continue at least until the end of the year. The second-last booster vaccines for children will be administered in January–February.